CIRE enters Portland; FirstTeam ready for ‘era of excellence’ 

Editor's note: The brokerage business is a busy one, with frequent moves, mergers and milestones. Here we highlight some of the latest activity among brokerages across the U.S.

Longtime Portland brokers launch Christie's affiliate

Christie's International Real Estate has entered Oregon's largest city in partnership with an experienced local team.

Brian Pienovi, who has served the Portland market for four decades, will lead the new affiliate — Christie's International Real Estate Evergreen — alongside his son, Andrew Pienovi; $2 billion-dollar career agent Patrick Clark; and principal broker Ken McLarty. The team's average sale price exceeds $1 million, which is roughly twice the area average, according to a news release. 

"We're incredibly bullish on Portland real estate," Clark said.

Prior to joining the Christie's brand, Pienovi and his team founded, operated and eventually sold two Portland-based brokerages, with the most recent firm housing more than 200 agents. The team's new venture will focus on quality over quantity and "grow the right way — through boutique luxury service," the announcement indicated.

CIRE President Gavin Swartzman said the trio brings "deep-rooted expertise, generational leadership, and a shared commitment to client service," with the Portland launch marking "an exciting new chapter for us on the West Coast."

The partnership, added Brian Pienovi, "offers a global network, iconic brand, and best-in-class tools to complement the local relationships and expertise we've cultivated over the past four decades."  

Orlando indie joins Century 21

A 10-year-old independent brokerage in Clermont, one of Orlando's western suburbs, has moved under the Century 21 umbrella.

Hancock Realty Group, now doing business as Century 21 Hancock, was founded by broker/owner and two-decade industry veteran Matthew L. Mobley in 2015. The firm offers both residential and commercial real estate services.

"I pursued this affiliation with the well-being of my agents and their clients at the top of mind," Mobley said in a news release. 

"When I met with the Century 21 team, they laid out exactly how the brand could help us better serve Lake County residents and how my agents would benefit from this affiliation," he added, citing "the immediate boost to brand recognition" as a key motivator.

Mobley "has already done an excellent job at growing his personal brand" in the area, said C21 President and CEO Mike Miedler, and "we know it's only a matter of time before his firm becomes one of the most well-regarded businesses in their corner of Central Florida."

FirstTeam's new broker of record prepares for 'era of excellence'

Two months after expanding into Washington state, FirstTeam has announced that Aaron Shriner will serve as the Evergreen State's broker of record.

Shriner, who co-founded The Shriner Group with his wife, Laura, and brings over 25 years of real estate experience, was previously the VP and managing broker at Group One Sotheby's International Realty and at LIV Sotheby's International Realty. In his new role, Shriner will "leverage the brokerage's resources to unlock a new era of excellence, opportunity, and vision" for clients in Washington state and in Idaho, according to a news release.

FirstTeam CEO Michele Harrington praised Shriner's "local insight, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial spirit," adding that his "proven success and commitment to excellence will further our ability to deliver the exceptional service we are known for and expand our presence across the region."

Shriner said it was the independent brokerage's leadership, tech, customizable branding and team-focused approach that appealed to him. "I'd been looking to work with a company that could move at the speed of the industry, and all of the recent changes we're seeing have only reaffirmed our decision," he said.

$200M agent joins Florida indie

Julie Larsen, a luxury-focused agent who has closed more than $200 million in sales over the course of her 15-year career, has joined Michael Saunders & Company.

As the daughter of a builder who most recently spent more than 10 years at Corcoran Dwellings, real estate has been a throughline in Larsen's life. She was the top producer for years in her previous post and is among the top 500 agents in Tampa Bay — and among the top 1.5% of agents in the U.S., according to a news release.

Larsen, who will focus on luxury clients in the St. Petersburg area, said aligning with the Florida indie enables her to scale up on "relationship-driven service" now that she has access to a "top-tier marketing team, powerful buyer networks, outstanding peers, and a professional management team."

"I am very excited about growing the brand in St. Pete and collaborating with a brokerage that shares my standards: high touch, high integrity, and high performance," Larsen said.

"Her focus on building long-term relationships with her clients and a commitment to excellence, along with a deep knowledge of the luxury market, aligns seamlessly with our values as a company," President Drayton Saunders added.

More brokerage news

Douglas Elliman has welcomed Rachael Brook to its Miami office, where she will focus on clients in the new development and luxury relocation spaces. Brook, who began her career in 2012, has previously worked with S. Pearlman & Associates, Coldwell Banker, Partners Trust and Keller Williams. In a news release, she said she picked Elliman "for its unmatched reputation, global reach, and culture of excellence." Elliman "continues to set the standard for visionary projects that define modern luxury," Brook said, adding that she is "inspired to grow alongside such a forward-thinking brand shaping the future of real estate."

The Agency has expanded into the Florida Keys with the opening of a new office — its seventh in the state — that will be led by Managing Partner/Broker Lisa Swanson and Managing Director Tim Swanson. "Florida continues to show clear demand for our brand," Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky said in a news release, adding that the Keys in particular is "one of the most unique and extraordinary markets in the country." Through this expansion, the firm "further cements its role as a leading player in Florida's luxury real estate sector," said James Ramsay, EVP of The Agency's franchise division.

Coldwell Banker has gained a new affiliate in the Los Angeles area as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties becomes Coldwell Banker Envision. The firm will keep its leadership team as its 1,300 agents serve clients in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. The team behind Envision "brings a wealth of market expertise and an unwavering commitment to client service," Coldwell Banker Affiliates Jason Waugh said in a news release, adding that the firm is "an ideal partner as we accelerate our growth in one of the country's most dynamic regions."